Council supports Main Street Program

Judy Kroeger

Jun. 17, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Connellsville City Council is working to improve the city with funds that have been made available through unconventional sources: the sale of property purchased for $1 from the federal government and a will, along with a grant.

Michael Edwards, new executive director of the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority and president of the Connellsville Cultural Trust, encouraged city council to support the application for the state's Main Street downtown development program. Local effort of $125,000 must be pledged as part of the application process. Edwards told council recently that $20,000 has been donated. Council voted unanimously to pledge $40,000 in the form of $10,000 for each of the next four years. The city funds will come from the Good Neighbor Program, the sale of a HUD house in the city. Mayor Judy Reed said the program requires that the funds be used for revitalization.

Edwards said the authority and the trust would submit the application to the state in early August. Between $60,000 and $65,000 remains to be pledged.

Council voted unanimously to authorize the release and expenditure of Grace B. Turner, Connellsville City Endowment of $37,028. Turner's will stipulates that the pastor of the Connellsville Presbyterian Church approve the projects. A session of the church under the leadership of interim Pastor Marnie Abraham Russell approved that $20,000 be used toward the purchase of a police vehicle, $10,000 toward Austin Avenue Park playground and baseball field and $7,028 for city parks and recreation.

The police car will cost $22,076 from the South Hills Area Council of Governments State Purchasing Program and $5,168 for accessories from Team Force. The bulk of the purchase will come from the endowment, with the remaining $7,244 from the state tobacco grant.

Reed is requesting concerned citizens join the city's Shade Tree Commission to help deal with aging trees in the city. She said recent storms have damaged several older trees on private property and a plan must be developed for encouraging tree trimming and planting appropriate replacement trees for older trees that are blown down or die.

In other matters, council:

-- Announced a summer swim program at the Connellsville Community Center. Nancy Koller will conduct the program. The following programs are available: infant to 4 years parent and child bonding class and summer swim for children 4 years and older. Applications are available at city hall or call 724-628-0173 for more information.

-- Announced a summer recreation program at the Connellsville Community Center. Terry Nicholson will conduct the program. Applications are available at city hall. It includes basketball, mixed martial arts and Olympic-style sparring, self-defense and movies on Fridays in July. Applications are available at city hall or call 724-628-7819 for more information.

-- Approved adding the following individuals to the substitute employee list for the Cream of the Trail ice cream stand and other employment: Alex A. Fogle, Jessica Ohler, MariAnne Holden, Justin Leonard, Elise Michaux and Jerome Stafford.

-- Approved paying Golden Eagle Construction $1,285.90 for road materials.

-- Approved holding an executive meeting at 6 p.m. July 10 for employment, collective bargaining or litigation.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0308-26050283